Sympathies, songs and savoring life

This Sunday morning will be unlike many Sunday mornings for Linda Nelson. For more than five decades she had her husband Bill Nelson by her side. Bravely he departed our community this past week knowing for months what fate has brought his way. I have to admire him very much because he chose to take his news and live his last days to the fullest. He lived without fear and embraced the joys of life in each moment until the very end. He was a great humanitarian in our community. My warmest sympathies go out to Linda and their children, Todd Nelson, TimNelson, Trey Nelson and Bonalyn Nelson Boyd and their families. If we could all take a note and live by example from his outlook on life until the end.

In life, the gift of song can bring us great joy. For those looking for a Valentine Treat, join vocalists CoreyMcKern, Betsy Uschkrat, Claire Vangelisiti, Tyler Smith, Lynn Clark, and Ron Ulen with Richard Seiler on piano on Friday February 12 at Kilbourne Hall, Grace Church as they present excerpts of Rodger and Hammerstein’s masterpieces, “Carousel.” Tickets are available at Fiesta Nutrition Center or www.ulm.edu/vapa/opera. Come take a ride on the Carousel in song from this talented group.

Looking for another form of music to strike a chord, then check out Enoch’s Irish Pub on Saturday, February 13 as they present Battle of the Bands hosted by the ULM Campus Activities Board and Tipitina’s Music Co-op. This is a great event to benefit St. Jude’s kids that will surely tug on your heart’s strings.

Pull out your wigs or grow that lip caterpillar because Geneva Academy’s Wig and ‘Stache Bash is on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Vantage Ballroom. Tickets are available at wigstachebash2016. eventbrite.com Aleta Eley and her crew are working to make this a hair raising event.

Congratulations are in order for Barry Stevenson as he begins the transition of taking over as the COO of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council. Barry started working along Tommy Usrey who will be retiring in October. Barry brings great knowledge and enthusiasm as we move forward in enriching the arts in our communities. He has been one of your executive board members and has a great history with the Princess Theatre in Winnsboro.

One Saturday a year, surrounding communities and locals from all walks of life gather with one phrase in mind, “Throw me something mister.” This past Saturday I chaperoned my Queen Cookie in the PAWS pet parade. It was great to see so many familiar faces there and throughout the day. Amongst those in the crowds were Tina and AnnaAnzalone, Therese Nagem, Maurie Hooton, Ainsley Snellenberger, Allyson Sager, Blake Mason, JoshSanders, Jeremy Davis, Sarah Johnson, Anthony Whitlock, Ann Norman, Suzy Beck, Laurie and Kendall Beck Payne, Josh and Leslie Culp, Savannah and Sandy Spivey, John Pierre, Luke, Bryant and Courtney Alvernia, Susan Taylor, Tammy and Scott Sims, Dakota Miller, Martha Miller, Reed Rodgers, Niki Dixon, Brock and Reece Myers, Savannah Kate Bridges, Wayland Morgan and Heather Moore.

There will be a big ‘Hip Hippo Hooray’ this year as I co-chair Zoobiliation 2016 with Heather Moore and our great committee for a second year. We had more than 3,000 in attendance last year and hope to double that this year We will be celebrating the hippos this year with an amazing day of food, music, games, fun for the entire family. We are adding some new elements this year. We are working out the date for either June or August. More details will be coming soon. Sponsorship information for restoration of the zoo can be made by emailing me at clintondesigner@ gmail.com.

Good Sunday morning wishes go out to Jimmy and Nelsie Bershen, Bill and Kathy Patrick, Jim and BettyMalson, Judy and Ralph McCurdy, Jody and Bishop Johnson. Also a happy day to Susan Allaine, JudyWaggoner, Kay LaFrance, John Denison, Neil Shaw, Larry Rhymes and John Roa. The nightly news is not the same without this seasoned bunch.

Sometimes life brings us news that we least expect or hope is true. We often live in fear of not knowing what tomorrow brings. We must strive to live each day as if it were the last through the good and the bad hair days. We must make a joyful noise even if it is out of tune. For each voice counts and each life matters in this great celebration in the art of life. Have a great Sunday and week ahead. I will see you on the town.

Clinton Whitney Downing is a guest society columnist to The News-Star. Share social news, tidbits and photos with him at clintondesigner@ gmail.com.